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Professional Research Assistant

**Requisition Number:** 69507

**Location:** Boulder Colorado

**Employment Type:** Research Faculty

**Schedule:** Full Time

**Posting Close Date:** 25-Jan-2026

Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Professional Research Assistant will assist in the development of an extreme ultraviolet radiometer to support advanced semiconductor manufacturing. This work will require design and testing of compact, vacuum-compatible electro-optical instrumentation with limited supervision. A successful candidate should have experience with optical and radiometric measurements using appropriate laser safety procedures and protocols, as well as expertise in software development (Python) for instrument control, data acquisition, and analysis. Knowledge of and experience with 3D CAD for modeling and feedback control systems is a plus. The candidate will interact with other team members and key stakeholders to present and discuss research directions and findings. Optical testing of these devices will likely require limited travel to extreme ultraviolet sources located both domestically and abroad.

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and thus requires that such institutions be the recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

PREP is a special partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder. PREP provides research opportunities to CU undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers with a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in NIST labs to gain research experience alongside NIST scientists.

The particular group that needs a researcher is the Sources and Detectors Group under the Applied Physics Division at NIST.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

+ Optically test a prototype extreme ultraviolet radiometer using standard radiometric techniques.

+ Analyze performance data using standard data analysis software (e.g. Excel, MATLAB, Python, etc.) and basic analysis techniques such as linear regression and simple statistical analysis.

+ Discuss findings with team members to iterate on design as necessary.

+ Help to develop an uncertainty budget.

+ Troubleshoot electrical circuit design as necessary using simple tools such as a voltmeter and oscilloscope.

+ Troubleshoot radiometer control software as necessary using Python.

+ Test vacuum performance by operating a vacuum pump and reading vacuum gauges.

+ Alter mechanical design using 3D CAD software as necessary for testing radiometer at partner facilities.

+ Report findings as requested in, for example, written technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and/or professional conferences and meetings.

What You Should Know

Privacy Act Statement

**Authority:** 15 U.S.C. 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. 272(b) and (c)

**Purpose:** The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) (https://www.nist.gov/iaao/academic-affairs-office/nist-professional-research-experience-program-prep) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.

PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate the administrative functions of the PREP Program.

**Routine Uses:** NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.

**Disclosure:** Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.

What We Can Offer

+ The salary range for this full-time position is $63,000 - $98,000 annually.

+ Onboarding/relocation assistance may be available, however, if within a 12-month period you exercise your right to willfully terminate your employment with the University of Colorado, you hereby agree to reimburse the department for your relocation expense.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder (https://www.colorado.edu/) , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package (https://www.colorado.edu/jobs/benefits) includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage (https://advantage.cu.edu/campus/cu-boulder) program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

+ Master's degree in physics, engineering, materials science, or a related field.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume or CV

2. Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment. During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for a reference who will be contacted to provide a letter of recommendation immediately after you apply. Review of applications will begin immediately and remain open until **January 25, 2026.** Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs. (https://www.colorado.edu/jobs/)

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Professional-Research-Assistant/69507 (https://apptrkr.com/6862253)

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The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.